The Final Blog: What is New Media?

What is New Media? I used to think that I knew, but I really didn’t have a clue. Sure, you can say that it’s a mix web design, graphic design and video production, but that would be unfair. New Media is much more than that. In my experience at Purchase, anyone I’ve talked to about New Media who isn’t in the program had no idea what it was.
In fact, I think its safe to say that no one outside of the program has ever known was New Media was. I always have to explain what exactly it is that I do here at Purchase.

So, What is New Media? For me, New Media is an art form that I can easily relate to because it is all I know. I’ve used computers my whole life and have become dependent on them. Almost all my work is done using a computer; my class work, my art work, my life is all contained on a magnetized disk whose language consists of only 1 and 0. My computer has become an extension of myself. What is it about computers that sucks me in? I think it might have to do with the direct control it affords me. How many other things in the world can you have so much access to and control over? Not many.

I like being a part of the New Media program because it allows me to work in so many different mediums. Some would say that New Media should be confined to things like sensors and radios and robots, but I don’t see a reason to limit it like that. Being able to switch back and forth between video production, graphic design, or web design gives me this breathing room. It helps me figure out what I am most comfortable with and how I want to approach future projects.

As I stare another two years at Purchase in the face, I look forward to delving even deeper into the mysterious question of just exactly what is New Media. Chances are that in two years, I’ll have a vastly different perspective, which is great. I am not the kind of guy who enjoys the tedium of a 9-5 job. A cubicle and a mini van are not my idea of an exciting life. With New Media, I’ll be able to catch that next great wave and be on the forefront of new technology. This is gonna be fun…